Dispute Arises at Mukhtar Ansari’s Funeral Over Soil Offering

Tensions flared between the district magistrate and MP Afzal Ansari during the final rites ceremony of Mukhtar Ansari, a notorious figure in both politics and organized crime, who passed away from a cardiac arrest in Banda on Thursday. Mukhtar Ansari was also the brother of Afzal Ansari.

Thousands of mourners from the Ghazipur district and nearby regions converged to pay their respects at Mukhtar Ansari’s funeral. However, chaos ensued when the district administration, to manage the overwhelming crowd, reportedly barred certain individuals from entering the burial site to participate in the tradition of scattering ceremonial soil over the grave.

A video circulating on social media captured the heated exchange between Afzal Ansari and Ghazipur DM Aryaka Akhoury. Ansari insisted that everyone should be allowed to offer soil, regardless of their affiliation, while the DM cited the imposed prohibitory orders and questioned the necessity of such a large gathering.

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Security measures were tightened outside Ansari’s residence and the burial ground, with police struggling to control the influx of mourners attempting to enter the restricted area. Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Piyush Mordia supervised the security arrangements in Mohammadabad, where the burial took place.

During the procession, Afzal Ansari urged the crowd to maintain peace amidst the heightened tensions. Varanasi Range DIG OP Singh confirmed the deployment of adequate police forces to ensure order and revealed that the Ansari family had provided a list of approved attendees for the burial.

While some individuals raised slogans during the proceedings, Singh assured that only those on the approved list were permitted to remain at the cemetery. Additional security personnel were deployed as the crowd size increased, but overall, the situation remained peaceful.

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Police, Provincial Armed Constabulary, and paramilitary forces were stationed at key locations to prevent any untoward incidents. Despite the initial altercation, the funeral concluded without major disruptions, with the Ansari family cooperating with authorities to maintain order throughout the proceedings.